The battle for party chairman has turned into a slugfest, with all the drama of a bitter family feud. It will provide an early test of new Gov. Nathan Deal's sway within the state GOP as he tries to put his stamp on the party apparatus heading into a busy presidential election season.

The contest has sharply divided Georgia Republicans and turned traditional assumptions on their head.

GOP Chairwoman Sue Everhart, who's seeking a third two-year term, is running as the grassroots favorite while her upstart opponent, Tricia Pridemore, has been cast as the establishment candidate because she has Deal's backing.

Pridemore ran Georgia's chapter of the 9/12 Project, the conservative group founded by radio and television host Glenn Beck and which has tea party leanings. But tea party leaders in Georgia are largely backing Everhart, upset by what they see as an attempt by Deal to seize control of the state party, which they think should be independent.

A third candidate, Fulton County Republican Party Chairman Shawn Hanley, a former U.S. Marine, is seen as a wild card in the three-way contest.

With Republicans now dominant in Georgia, the leader of the state party will wield huge influence heading into the 2012 presidential election as well as a critical legislative redistricting session, in which lawmakers will carve out a new congressional seat for the state.

The chairman will raise and spend millions of dollars, help coordinate GOP efforts in the state and act as a public face of the party at a multitude of rallies and events. And in spite of last year's Republican sweep of statewide elected offices, Everhart and Pridemore warn the party cannot afford to become complacent with Democrats looking to bounce back.

Everhart was at the helm last year as Republicans claimed every statewide office. The biggest beneficiary of that sweep was Deal.

She was shocked and a little bit hurt when Deal plucked Pridemore from his roster of campaign volunteers and urged her to run for party chairwoman, Everhart said. But Everhart says she's developed a thick skin.

"In politics it never hurts long," said Everhart, a former bank vice president from Marietta.

Pridemore, also of Marietta, said Deal encouraged her to run after seeing her in action as a volunteer. He has ferried her to campaign events by private helicopter, and the governor has been seen wearing a "Tricia" sticker.

"This is an endorsement by someone who knows me and knows my work ethic and my business record," Pridemore said.

The 39-year-old Pridemore, who founded an Internet software company, talks about the need to be tech-savvy, with a more robust use of social networking and other new media to lure younger voters. She warns that President Obama will again make masterful use of online resources and state Republicans cannot be caught flatfooted if they want to win.

Everhart, 65, stresses her record raising cash - $18 million over four years - from a stable of donors, with whom she has longtime ties. And she argues that she has the experience to make the party hum at a critical time. Without mentioning Pridemore by name she says that bringing in someone without experience would "create chaos."

"I don't want to lose what we've gained," she said.

Hanley did not return calls seeking an interview.

What's at stake in the race is also the party's reputation moving forward.

"This race will decide who holds the power in the Republican Party - the grassroots or the powerful elected officials," said Debbie Dooley, state coordinator for Atlanta Tea Party Patriots, who is backing Everhart.

But Heather Abbott, of Thomasville, said it is Pridemore who is the grassroots choice.

"We need some fresh energy. She would put a whole new face on the party," the 31-year-old said, noting she supports Pridemore's focus on recruiting minorities and young people to the party.

Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said that the governor has nothing against Everhart.

"But Tricia is the person who can broaden the Republican Party base, who can reach those people who aren't part of the party now but who should be, the next generation of Republicans," he said.

For Deal, the race will provide a gauge of his power within the party. He emerged from a fractured GOP primary last summer, defeating former Secretary of State Karen Handel by a slim 2,500-vote margin. While GOP ranks closed around him for the general election, the onetime congressman from Gainesville still is finding his footing in the state Republican hierarchy.